Winter opening times

The museum is currently closed to visitors because of redevelopment work. We are consolidating the museum all on to one floor where previously the museum was split over two floors. We reopen on 1st April and look forward to seeing you then.

About the museum

There are over 1200 pieces on show, including many unique and never before seen pieces, in two galleries.

The Studio gallery, the larger of the two, focuses on the Isle of Wight's many studio glass makers, particularly Isle of Wight Studio Glass, but also Diamond Isle Sculptured Glass, Glory Art Glass and Alum Bay Glass as well as related studios such as Jonathan Harris Studio Glass. This gallery also has a stunning collection of Mdina glass made during the period when the Harris family were in Malta, between 1968 and 1972, many pieces signed by Michael Harris. Also, there are designs by Michael from the 1950s and when he was teaching at the Royal College of Art in London in the 1960s.

The museum is also building a collection of studio glass made by other British makers, such as Siddy Langley.

In our brand new gallery, opening in April 2018, we have a fascinating and growing collection of French, German and British Art Deco glass. The focus is on glass made or designed by/for Edmond Etling, Pierre D’Avesn, Verlys, Sabino, Jobling, Stuart Crystal, John Walsh Walsh and WMF.

The museum has educational facilities catering for group visits, including schools and colleges, of up to 35 people. Our library is accessible to scholars and collectors by appointment.

Museum redevelopment

The museum opened in March 2016 after a great deal of work. But we are not standing still. Our aim is to continually improve the visitor experience as resources allow. Currently we are making extensive changes to greatly enhance the visitor experience. These include a more exciting layout, storyboards and graphics, touch screen computers full of helpful information for visitors to use, and a library. We are aiming to install these improvements during January to March 2018.

As part of the redevelopment work the museum shop will close. But online sales will continue uninterrupted via this web site.

Blog

The museum now has a coordinator and assistant to welcome our visitors. Both Bernadette Connolly, the new coordinator, and Tina Gormer, the new assistant, started work on Monday. After an intensive first week of preparation, the museum is ready to open on Saturday, 19th March at 10 am. The museum director invited Bernadette and Tina to introduce themselves and they have kindly provided a few words about their backgrounds. - Click here to read more - Comments: 0